Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy's bona fides and understand what he is trying to get across. The issue is that we have market failure in rural areas. There is market failure where I live and we need to deal with this issue. I must be a Minister of State for all of the country, not just for Dublin, Cork or rural towns. I must try to ensure a provision of service. I also have responsibility for rural transport services. At times these issues interlock such as community cars and rural bus services. We must try to ensure there is coverage and that everyone can expect to operate in a regulated framework such that they know how it works and are allowed to earn a fair living and do their job properly.

The objective of the local area hackney licence is to facilitate low-cost entry to the market in areas with no services. I wish to outline the features of the licence to the Deputy. The area of operation will be limited. It will have to be validated by a local community or business organisation. There will be a low entry cost for operators. Drivers in the area will have to be identified but will not have to sit an area knowledge test. Drivers will not be allowed to ply for hire at taxi ranks. These cars will not be able to do the job of taxis in towns. It is as simple as that.

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